Quick Trip to VNG and/or the Douro Anyone?

Post by **DRT** » 19:39 Mon 31 Mar 2008

I noticed today that Ryanair are doing flights to Porto from Stanstead for £0 + tax = £19.98 return

I am free as a bird from Saturday 19th to Tuesday 22nd April and may pop over for a couple of days.

Anyone interested?

Derek

Andy Velebil · Post by **Andy Velebil** » 03:27 Tue 01 Apr 2008

Darn it...I am really moving to your neck of the woods...so long as the banjo's don't start playing

For that price, its a no-brainer. I wish I could fly there for that much.

SushiNorth · Post by **SushiNorth** » 03:38 Tue 01 Apr 2008

Ha@me. Meanwhile, I get to spend a fortune to fly to Puerto Rico for a wedding. And do you know what i'll get to taste? Rumbing alcohol.

Michael M. · Post by **Michael M.** » 06:45 Tue 01 Apr 2008

KillerB · Post by **KillerB** » 07:32 Tue 01 Apr 2008

I will be travelling to Utrecht to be teaching then so I have to say a disappointed "no".

Rubby · Post by **Rubby** » 09:12 Tue 01 Apr 2008

KillerB wrote:I will be travelling to Utrecht to be teaching then so I have to say a disappointed "no".

Ah, the Porto of the north.

Axel P · Post by **Axel P** » 11:45 Tue 01 Apr 2008

Id love to but my wife would kill me.

Axel

ac-fast · Post by **ac-fast** » 17:51 Tue 01 Apr 2008

Sounds great, but the prices is a little bigger in Denmark about 250 Eur return Cph-Lis, Lis Cph.

But but but....... hopefully my wife and me are going to portugal this summer

RonnieRoots · Post by **RonnieRoots** » 18:28 Tue 01 Apr 2008

KillerB wrote:I will be travelling to Utrecht to be teaching then so I have to say a disappointed "no".

What are you doing there? I read in a newspaper yesterday that Oman has plans to become the IT-hotspot of the middle east. Your knowledge is required here to achieve that goal.

Derek, how about a trip in June? We may be going somewhere around that time.

If we miss you: make sure to stay overnight at Quinta do Passadouro. One of the best places to stay in the Douro.

KillerB · Post by **KillerB** » 14:16 Wed 02 Apr 2008

RonnieRoots wrote:
KillerB wrote:I will be travelling to Utrecht to be teaching then so I have to say a disappointed "no".
What are you doing there? I read in a newspaper yesterday that Oman has plans to become the IT-hotspot of the middle east. Your knowledge is required here to achieve that goal.

You want me to move to Belgium? What with no decent wines or Ports, an impossible import structure and all that Flemish-Walloon in-fighting? No thanks.

I'm just teaching a Tools course.

RonnieRoots · Post by **RonnieRoots** » 05:59 Fri 04 Apr 2008

A Tool course?

KillerB · Post by **KillerB** » 07:51 Fri 04 Apr 2008

RonnieRoots wrote:A Tool course?

No - I'm teaching people how to use hammers and spanners. There's a skill shortage in Utrecht, allegedly.

Post by **DRT** » 20:44 Mon 14 Apr 2008

Well, I have decided to forge ahead alone and will be departing from London Stansted to Oporto at 06:40 on Saturday morning via a sofa at Chez Tom

With some very generous assistance from someone here I hope to make some very nice visits during my 3 day trip. The way things are panning out it will be 2 days in the Douro and one in VNG.

I will try to post some thoughts when I am there and will, of course, be asking for opinions on how the 2007 vintage is developing

Most of all I will be drinking Purple Sunshine, enjoying wonderfull views of the Douro and thinking of you lot slogging away at work

I am as happy as a pig in a pile of poo

Derek

SushiNorth · Post by **SushiNorth** » 20:51 Mon 14 Apr 2008

KillerB wrote:No - I'm teaching people how to use hammers and spanners.

Hammers? Do they have a lot of rough stones?

Post by **jdaw1** » 21:39 Mon 14 Apr 2008

I have never been to Oporto, VNG, or the Douro. Still.

Post by **DRT** » 21:43 Mon 14 Apr 2008

jdaw1 wrote:I have never been to Oporto, VNG, or the Douro. Still.

Are you planning to rectify that situation? The Douro is particularly beautiful and something every port lover should see before they die.

Post by **jdaw1** » 21:46 Mon 14 Apr 2008

Derek T. wrote:
jdaw1 wrote:I have never been to Oporto, VNG, or the Douro. Still.
Are you planning to rectify that situation? The Douro is particularly beautiful and something every port lover should see before they die.

Yes. But when I don’t know.

Post by **DRT** » 21:55 Mon 14 Apr 2008

jdaw1 wrote:
Derek T. wrote:
jdaw1 wrote:I have never been to Oporto, VNG, or the Douro. Still.
Are you planning to rectify that situation? The Douro is particularly beautiful and something every port lover should see before they die.
Yes. But when I don’t know.

I think at some point in the not too distant future we should organise a TPF Off-line in VNG. Flights from London to Oporto are a cheap as chips and it is easy to hop over for a couple of days. Perhaps this should be the first entry on the 2009 Offline Planner?

Derek

SushiNorth · Post by **SushiNorth** » 21:59 Mon 14 Apr 2008

If it were to be planned for 2009, we should perhaps have it concur with the vintage announcements and tastings? Its more expensive to get over there from the US, though I wonder whether NY->London->Portugal might not be a bad idea...

Post by **DRT** » 22:08 Mon 14 Apr 2008

SushiNorth wrote: I wonder whether NY->London->Portugal might not be a bad idea...

That's not a bad idea at all. London to Oporto is normally below £100 return. Much less if you book early.

I booked my flights today, just 5 days in advance, and it cost me £117. If I had booked them on the day I started this thread I would have got the same flights for £20

Derek

RonnieRoots · Post by **RonnieRoots** » 05:41 Tue 15 Apr 2008

Derek, care to share which quintas you plan to visit?

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 07:19 Tue 15 Apr 2008

Derek T. wrote:I will try to post some thoughts when I am there and will, of course, be asking for opinions on how the 2007 vintage is developing

Please don't overlook the importance of reporting on the 2008 harvest forecast. We need daily weather reports and as many pictures of the vines as possible.

Derek T. wrote:Most of all I will be drinking Purple Sunshine, enjoying wonderfull views of the Douro and thinking of you lot slogging away at work

Please don't do that. You do not have the time to spare to drink port. We expect you to work while you are in the Douro by taking vine photographs, speaking to the shippers about 2006 declarations, winemakers about 2007 port quality and meterologists about 2008 weather conditions. We will be perfectly able to increase our port intake after work while you are on your trip and therefore unable to drink. Don't worry, we can compensate for your absence.

Derek T. wrote:I am as happy as a pig in a pile of poo

I think that needs a new emoticon from JDAW...

Enjoy

Post by **DRT** » 07:40 Tue 15 Apr 2008

RonnieRoots wrote:Derek, care to share which quintas you plan to visit?

Not sure yet apart from Quinta de la Rosa, where I will be staying on Saturday and possibly Sunday night. Will let you know as soon as plans are made

Derek

Post by **DRT** » 07:45 Tue 15 Apr 2008

AHB wrote:
Derek T. wrote:I will try to post some thoughts when I am there and will, of course, be asking for opinions on how the 2007 vintage is developing
Please don't overlook the importance of reporting on the 2008 harvest forecast. We need daily weather reports and as many pictures of the vines as possible.

I will certainly be taking pictures of vines and will post them on my return. Unfortunately, I will not have room in my bag for a Barometer or moisture sensing kit but will report rain/cloud/sun and cold/warm/hot readings for morning, afternoon and evening.

AHB wrote:
Derek T. wrote:Most of all I will be drinking Purple Sunshine, enjoying wonderfull views of the Douro and thinking of you lot slogging away at work
Please don't do that. You do not have the time to spare to drink port. We expect you to work while you are in the Douro by taking vine photographs, speaking to the shippers about 2006 declarations, winemakers about 2007 port quality and meterologists about 2008 weather conditions. We will be perfectly able to increase our port intake after work while you are on your trip and therefore unable to drink. Don't worry, we can compensate for your absence.

OK - you've convinced me - I promise not to drink any port when I'm there.

AHB wrote:
Derek T. wrote:I am as happy as a pig in a pile of poo
I think that needs a new emoticon from JDAW...

{insert excellent idea emoticon}

Derek

Conky · Post by **Conky** » 08:00 Tue 15 Apr 2008

Post by **DRT** » 08:29 Tue 15 Apr 2008

Yip. That just about sums up how I am feeling

RonnieRoots · Post by **RonnieRoots** » 10:37 Tue 15 Apr 2008

Derek T. wrote:
RonnieRoots wrote:Derek, care to share which quintas you plan to visit?
Not sure yet apart from Quinta de la Rosa, where I will be staying on Saturday and possibly Sunday night. Will let you know as soon as plans are made

Derek

Do you have a car at your disposal? If you wish, I can get you into contact with the owner of Quinta do Javali, about 45 minutes drive from Pinhao, and possibly one of the most locations in the Douro (and some good port and wine too!)

Post by **jdaw1** » 12:23 Tue 15 Apr 2008

and

sent to Alex K.

Edit: and

Edit: and

Post by **DRT** » 12:54 Tue 15 Apr 2008

RonnieRoots wrote:
Derek T. wrote:
RonnieRoots wrote:Derek, care to share which quintas you plan to visit?
Not sure yet apart from Quinta de la Rosa, where I will be staying on Saturday and possibly Sunday night. Will let you know as soon as plans are made

Derek
Do you have a car at your disposal? If you wish, I can get you into contact with the owner of Quinta do Javali, about 45 minutes drive from Pinhao, and possibly one of the most locations in the Douro (and some good port and wine too!)

Ronnie,

I do have a car and that would be excellent if you could arrange it. Sunday is better than Saturday for me if there is a choice.

Thanks

Derek

PS: Quick, I need those emoticons ASAP!

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